Thomas And Doull Relishing Cardiff Homecoming

Geraint Thomas will make his comeback from a broken collarbone on next month’s OVO Energy Tour of Britain.

The Team Sky rider will be joined by Owain Doull for the eight-day event which finishes in their home city of Cardiff on Sunday, September 10.

Thomas suffered the injury after crashing on stage nine of the Tour de France last month.

The 31-year-old had become the first Welshman to wear the famous Yellow Jersey having led the race for four days following his victory in the opening time trial in Dusseldorf.

Thomas took time out after the Tour having seen his Giro d’Italia bid wrecked by a crash but is now relishing the return to action and finishing the race in his home city.

He said: “It’s always great to be able to race in front of home fans, so I’m really looking forward to the Tour of Britain.

“I haven’t had the chance to race at home much in recent years, but the atmosphere at London 2012, then at the home stages of the Tour de France and Commonwealth Games in 2014, has always stayed with me.

“The support from British fans is always fantastic when we race abroad – especially from the Welsh fans!

“There aren’t many races now where I don’t see the flag at the side of the road, and it just gives you such a boost.

“Obviously it was the first thing the Welsh guys spoke about when we saw that the finish was going to be in Cardiff. I’m sure the fans will do us proud – that’s going to be a great day.”

Doull finished third overall and won the Points Classification in the 2015 Tour of Britain.

And he is also relishing the chance to compete in front of his home fans.

Doull said: ””I can’t wait to be back racing in the UK, especially with the race finishing in my hometown of Cardiff.

“This will be my fifth time racing the Tour of Britain and my first time racing with Team Sky so it will be an even bigger event for me.

“The crowds just seem to get bigger every year, so it’s a race I really look forward to.”

Former World Champion Michal Kwiatkowski has already been confirmed by Team Sky for the race which starts in Edinburgh on September 3.

Stage 1: 3 September: Edinburgh to Kelso
Stage 2: 4 September: Kielder Water & Forest Park to Blyth
Stage 3: 5 September: Normanby Hall Country Park to Scunthorpe
Stage 4: 6 September: Mansfield to Newark-on-Trent
Stage 5: 7 September: The Tendring Stage Individual Time Trial
Stage 6: 8 September: Newmarket to Aldeburgh
Stage 7: 9 September: Hemel Hempstead to Cheltenham
Stage 8: 10 September: Worcester to Cardiff